unethical

adjective

un·​eth·​i·​cal ˌən-ˈe-thi-kəl How to pronounce unethical (audio)
: not conforming to a high moral standard : morally wrong : not ethical
illegal and unethical business practices
immoral and unethical behavior
unethically adverb

Examples of unethical in a Sentence

unethical treatment of prisoners of war that was a clear violation of international law an unethical attorney, he had no qualms about getting off clients who he knew were guilty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such research, of course, would be grossly unethical. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 Victims’ families have complained over the years about the insensitive and unethical ways producers have approached them. John J. Lennon, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2025 Santos made the grave error of not just lying about his background to voters — which while unethical and unsavory is not a crime — but embezzling donor funds for personal expenses and lying to Congress, among other things, which are chargeable offenses that have now resulted in his conviction. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025 Other former addicts counter that involuntary treatment is unethical and dehumanizing, and does more harm than good. Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unethical

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unethical was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Unethical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unethical. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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